Martha Gates Mills

Martha Mills receiving the Robe of Achievement

Mrs. Martha ‘Neal’ Mills was born in in New York and lived there throughout the formative years of her life. She graduated from DeRuyter Teachers’ Training School in NY and taught in several schools in the state of NY and later in WI and RI. She married Rev. Neal D. Mills in NY and then they moved to New Auburn, WI for his next pastorate.

In 1948 the Mills family moved to Jamaica, where Neal became the principal of Crandall High School and the assistant pastor of the Kingston and outlying churches. For the next 5 years Martha was a teacher at Crandall High School, a Sabbath School teacher, acted as church treasurer, church organist, was in charge of janitorial services, and gave music lessons. Martha was also a frequent hostess to visitors from the states and would routinely scour the marketplaces for native fruits and vegetables so her guests could try as many Jamaican dishes as possible during their stay.

In 1953 the Mills family returned to the States when Neal became the Secretary to the Board of Education and Martha provided assistance particularly in writing. Then Neal was called to Rockville, RI where they performed the duties of pastorate.

In 1966 the again were called to Jamaica where Neal was once again the principal and headmaster of Crandall High School and Martha resumed her previous work as well. In 1968 Martha collapsed due to the heat and being overworked and was hospitalized. She spent a few weeks in convalescence back in the States and then returned to part time work in the library and teaching a high-school Sabbath School class.

In 1969 the Mills family returned to the States in part due to Martha’s health and were called to pastor the Leonardsville and Brookfield churches.